Ex-contestant of 'Dream Academy' held for shabu

BAGUIO CITY  -- A former contestant of the reality TV show “Pinoy Dream Academy” was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for alleged drug pushing here Tuesday night around 8:30 p.m.

A PDEA press statement said Yvan Lambatan, 30,  former “scholar” of the “Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1,” was arrested after allegedly selling shabu to a PDEA agent in front of 18 BC Music Lounge along Legarda Road, where his band is performing. 

               

But, after his arrest, he told the media at the city jail here that he was not a drug pusher.

               

PDEA-Cordillera agents reportedly collared Lambatan after receiving P3,000 in marked bills in exchange for a plastic sachet of shabu. 

Lambatan’s name had reportedly appeared in the illegal drug trade in Baguio City since 2010, and he was even nearly arrested at one time.

               

The PDEA statement said the singer, musician, songwriter and dancer, had made Baguio proud during the Season 1 of Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) in August – December 2006.

               

 Baguio-born Yvan Lambatan y Rojo, 30, married, college undergraduate, resident of Lower Balacbac, Santo Tomas Proper, Baguio City, was busted with shabu in front of the 18 BC Music Lounge along Legarda Rd., Baguio City, where his band is performing.

               

Lambatan was charged before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Baguio for illegal drugs.

               

During the pilot season of PDA, a television program of ABS-CBN similar to the international reality show, “Big Brother,” he had competed well with his 19 fellow scholars, which included YengConstantino, the Grand Star Dreamer.

He ranked eighth in the four-month, live in competition, even outranking fellow Baguio-pride, Davey Langit, who placed tenth.